01
der Jäger
hunter
A person who hunts wild animals, whether as a profession, to obtain food, or as a hobby.
example
Der Jäger beobachtete das Reh durch sein Fernglas.
The hunter observed the deer through his binoculars.
der Jäger
hunter / fighter
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 03
Usage tips
Word formation
The noun 'Jäger' (hunter) comes from the verb 'jagen' (to hunt/chase). The ending '-er' turns it into the term for a male person who performs this activity.
EXAMPLE
Wer Tiere jagt, ist ein Jäger.
Someone who hunts animals is a hunter.
Context clue
The meaning of 'Jäger' is clarified by context. Words like 'Wald' (forest) or 'Tier' (animal) point to the hunter (person), 'Luftwaffe' (air force) to the aircraft, and 'Rennen' (race) to the athlete.
EXAMPLE
Der Jäger verfolgte die Spuren des Wildschweins im Schnee.
The hunter followed the wild boar's tracks in the snow.
Cultural context
The word is part of the name of a well-known German dish: 'Jägerschnitzel'. This is a schnitzel with a mushroom sauce that evokes the forest and hunting.
EXAMPLE
Im Restaurant bestelle ich oft Jägerschnitzel mit Pommes.
At the restaurant, I often order Jägerschnitzel with fries.
Compare with
Jäger vs Förster
forester
'der Jäger' and 'der Förster' can both have to do with forests and wild animals. The difference lies in the role. 'Der Jäger' hunts wild animals, for example professionally or as a hobby. 'Der Förster' works professionally to look after the forest: he protects and maintains it, plans work, and may also be involved in hunting. Learners may confuse the words because both work in the forest or spend time there. But not every 'Jäger' is a 'Förster', and a 'Förster' has many more tasks than just hunting.
Jäger
Der Jäger wartet am frühen Morgen ruhig am Waldrand.
The hunter waits quietly at the edge of the forest early in the morning.
Förster
Nach dem Sturm kontrolliert der Förster die Wege im Wald.
After the storm, the forester checks the paths in the forest.
In real life
Loading video examples...